We all know the classics — Monopoly, Cluedo, the games that live in every family cupboard. But if you’re looking to add something new to your family board games collection, it’s worth branching out. The team at Board Game Guys, a board game specialist based in County Galway, put together this list of four family favourites that are easy to learn, quick to set up, and genuinely fun for adults and kids alike.
Here are four new family board games recommended by Board Game Guys.
#1. Dixit
Dixit is a multi-award-winning game with beautifully illustrated cards, where the real star of the show is your imagination. It tests your logic, your bluffing skills and your powers of deduction, all while keeping the rules refreshingly simple.
In each round, one player becomes the storyteller and calls out a word or phrase to describe one of their cards. The other players then choose a card of their own that best matches the clue. All the cards are shuffled and revealed, and everyone votes secretly to guess which card belonged to the storyteller.
Dixit is simple, beautiful and great fun. It adapts easily to any age group, and with expansion packs adding extra cards, it never gets stale. A brilliant pick for family game nights or an evening with friends.
Age: 8+, Time: 30 minutes, Players: 3–6
#2. King of Tokyo
Transform into a mutant monster, a giant robot or another terrifying creature, take on your opponents, conquer the city, and become the one and only King of Tokyo! Roll dice to gain energy, heal your monster, or attack rival creatures, and use special cards — bought with energy crystals — to give your monster helpful new abilities.
To win, you must either destroy Tokyo or be the last monster standing after squashing the competition. King of Tokyo is a fast-paced, simple dice game designed by Richard Garfield. It’s a big hit with kids — especially fans of monster mayhem — as well as experienced grown-up board gamers.
Age: 8+, Time: 30 minutes, Players: 2–6
#3. Villa Paletti
Long ago in Italy, a builder named Paletti set out to construct the tallest castle in the world. When he ran short of money partway through, he began taking columns from the ground floor to build the upper levels instead. The result was an astonishing, precarious masterpiece: the Villa Paletti.
Can you repeat his daring feat? In this game, players try to move their own columns up to the highest possible level of the structure. The game ends when the Villa Paletti finally collapses, or when no more building is possible. Villa Paletti is quick, tense and genuinely funny to play — a great one for the whole family.
Age: 8+, Time: 30 minutes, Players: 2–4
#4. Carcassonne
Carcassonne 
is a clever, addictive tile-laying game for 2–5 players, set in the countryside around the medieval French city of Carcassonne. Players lay tiles to build roads, cities, cloisters and meadows, then deploy their followers — known as “meeples” — as farmers, knights, monks and thieves to claim points.
The rules are easy to pick up, but the game never gets boring, because the board is built fresh every time and there’s an almost endless number of tile combinations and strategies to try. Carcassonne is a worldwide bestseller and multiple award-winner, and a genuine must-have for any family board game collection.
Age: 8+, Time: 45 minutes, Players: 2–5
About Board Game Guys
Board Game Guys is a small, family-run team based in County Galway, passionate about bringing families and friends brain-stimulating, table-top fun for all ages and interests. Their aim is simple: to help families bond, play and compete together, giving real meaning to the idea of playing games as a family.
FAQs About Family Board Games
What age are these board games suitable for?
Most of the games on this list — Dixit, King of Tokyo, Villa Paletti and Carcassonne — are recommended from age 8 upwards, making them a good fit for older primary school kids right through to adults.
How many players do you need?
It varies by game. Dixit works best with 3–6 players, King of Tokyo suits 2–6, Villa Paletti is designed for 2–4, and Carcassonne plays well with 2–5. All of them work nicely for a small family group or a slightly bigger gathering.
How long does a game take to play?
Each of these games is designed to be quick and family-friendly, generally taking between 30 and 45 minutes per round — short enough to fit into a regular evening or a rainy afternoon at home.
Where can I buy these games?
These games are widely available from board game retailers and specialist stores, including Board Game Guys. It’s worth checking current stock and pricing directly with your preferred retailer, as availability can change.
Related Articles
If this list has you in the mood for more board game inspiration, take a look at 10 Best Family Board Games According to Mykidstime Parents for even more family-tested favourites, straight from other parents.
Save This for Your Next Rainy Day
Games like these are perfect for those “what will we do today” moments — rainy afternoons, half-term boredom, or a low-key Friday family night in. Bookmark this article or save it to your rainy day ideas list, so it’s ready whenever you need a new game to try.
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